Thursday, February 25, 2010

Hello! Tonight, Gina K is holding a very special blog hop and CONTEST. Join us by using one of the newest stamp sets from our fabulous illustrators. Choose any two of our new Spring colors to create your card. The colors can be in the card stock, buttons, ribbon or patterned paper. Then, add your project to the Mister Linky on Gina's blog. Gina will choose one winner who will be invited to join the Design Team for the month of March. The winner will receive the entire March release including the brand new Stamp TV kit, stamp sets, card stock AND will participate in our Design Team preview party, release party and special Senior DT and Illustrator blog hops!

***Check out Gina's blog for the rest of the details of the contest and on the SPECIAL SALE that begins tonight!

Now is a great time to stock up on what you need and get some great stamps for free! For all the details on this exciting blog hop event and sale, please check out GinaK's blog!

I entered this into the Moxie Fab Fun with Floss challenge. I LOVE using floss on my cards. I created this heart by placing a chipboard shape on the cardstock and using a piercing tool to poke holes around it. Then, I threaded the floss through the holes. I love the texture this adds!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

I am back today with another JustRite card. This week, the Stamper's Dreamteam is showing creations with all the new JustRite releases that are now in the store.

Here is my card created with Seeds of Kindness Borders & Centersset: I stamped the sentiment in two inks and then mounted the center over the stamped border. I used come Cosmo Cricket Material girl paper to create the flower petals. Really easy but I like how it turned out....

This card makes me happy...probably because we got SNOW here yesterday and I am now longing for Spring like the rest of the country!

The label and sentiment are from Lovely Labels set. I used the bird from Heartily Yours (just thought he would be cute perched inside that flourished label!) I fussy cut some designer paper along the top of the card and added some score lines and crystals to offset the "LOVE" sentiment at the bottom of the card.

These labels are also great for framing sentiments and pictures too! Check out THIS post to see the labels used to frame photos!

I stamped the sentiment and left the ink off the "love" so that I could replace it with a Maya Road chipboard love that I colored with an orange Copic marker. This sentiment works so well with all the JustRite botanicals or any fun designer paper you may have.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Hi everyone! At last....another coloring tutorial. I KNOW a lot of you have been patiently waiting for me to tackle another tutorial. I apologize that it took so long to get it done but I made sure to fill this one with lots of information. So many people have been asking what I mean when I say I colored an image with Copic markers and prismacolor pencils. So today's tutorial is focusing on that. I also used one of my favorite stamping techniques--paper piecing.

(I apologize for some of the wonky shadows that are in some of the pictures. I colored and photographed these early this morning and the sun was not cooperating. The pictures do show the colored steps just fine though. Just disregard the shadows!!!)

Let's get started:

First...I had to select an image to color. To me..the answer to this was pretty easy as I had several requests to show exactly how I colored these kittens after posting some cards with them.

I stamped my image three separate times in Memento ink. The cardstock colors I used are white, ivory and ocean mist. (Since I knew I was going to use the blue to paper piece the cup, I only re-inked that part of the image before stamping on the cardstock.)Then, I got my colors together to color the kitten on the white cardstock. The Copic markers I used are: E50 Egg Shell, R20 Blush, E31 Brick Beige, E37 Sepia, B 95 Light Grayish Cobalt.

The Prismacolor pencil I used is raw umber.

First, I took my Egg Shell marker and colored the kitten. I colored most of the kitten but left a few white spaces around his nose/mouth area. There will be a lot of blending of colors and I just wanted to make sure these areas remain the lightest so I didn't bother to add ink there yet.

Next, I took my beige marker and added that around the edges of the kitten's face and body. You can see the contrast of the colors because I didn't blend the color yet.

Then, I used my Sepia (I think my "favorite" Copic marker of all) to add some darker, shaded areas. Note: I still didn't blend the colors at all yet. Just adding color at this point.

After I put down enough darker brown color, I went back to my beige and blended the Sepia using small circular motion. Do not blend it all across the image. After you blend the Sepia in...then you can go back to the Egg Shell and blend some more.

The key to lots of dimension is different shades of the same color. You want the shades you select to be in sharp enough contrast to each other so that when you blend you can create the hues in between. I chose to color the kitten using Egg Shell (as my lightest color); Brick Beige (as the midline color) and Sepia (as the darkest color.) Because they are definitely a few shades away from each other...the colors look strange when you first apply them but after you BLEND...they create wonderful dimension.

I always blend using the next lightest colors I used. For example, If I used sepia...I blended it in with the Beige...If I use the Beige...I blend with the Egg Shell.

Next, I used some Blush to add some pink to his nose, ears and cheeks.

I blended some more using Beige and Egg Shell. (Keep playing and blending until you are happy with the results!) Then, I used Light Grayish Cobalt for his eyes.

When I am content with how the copic coloring looks....I can then use my Prismacolor pencils to add more dramatic shading. For this example, I am only using my brown pencil to add some more shadows to the kitten.

After I lay down the color, I blend it with odorless mineral spirits by dipping the blending stump in the mineral spirits and moving it over the colored pencil in a circular motion. (Remember: only do this step after you are finished coloring with Copic markers. You can damage the tips of your markers if you get the residue from the pencil or mineral spirits on them.)

The kitten is DONE!

You may notice that I stamped the kitten a few times. I wanted to use ivory as my base for this image (because it will go better with the paper I am using on the rest of the card.) So....I take my stamped kitten on the ivory and go over the outline with G00 Jade Green and BG0000 Snow Green. I only used Jade where I wanted darker shadow (like under the saucer and by the handle.)

Next, I took the blue kitten image and added some shadows to the teacup using the same markers. (I tested these colors first on the blue to make sure they looked ok.)

I cut out the teacup from my blue cardstock and the kitten body from the white cardstock that I colored in the steps above and assembled them on the ivory cardstock. (Note: I did lay some beige color on the kitten on the ivory cardstock so that when I popped the kitten on top, you would not see white underneath.)

And here is what my assembled kitten looks like.

I didn't color the flowers because they will be hidden once I create a card from this.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Today, I am sharing a super easy way to package a few little treats for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, a birthday or just because! I posted THIStreat holder last week and someone at the Gina K release party asked if I could post a tutorial on it....so this is it.

I changed it a bit just to give another variation:What you will need:6" by 6" square of cardstock (which will be the base of your treat holder)ribbon (for handle and for embellishing if you wish)Scor-PalScissorsStamps and scrap of cardstock to embellish front (my supplies are listed at the end of tutorial)Cropadile

Step 1: Take 6" by 6" cardstock sheet and score it at 2" and 4". Turn cardstock one rotation and score again at 2" and 4". (See next step if you need a visual of scored squares.)Step 2: Cut two slits on either side of cardstock as shown below. I folded up the center squares on each side to show you where it was cut. Fold at all score lines.

Step 3: (Optional) I decorated my first box with ribbons and this one with a ribbon band. This is an optional step if you would like to embellish your box this way. Before you have assembled the box, measure the spot you would like to punch holes with your Cropadile. In the first box I created, I measured five holes on the front and back center panels using my Stampin' Up Mat pack to create evenly spaced holes for ribbons. For this example, I measured two holes on either side of the front panel so I could thread ribbon through. After marking the spots where you want holes, punch with Cropadile. (You will see the punched holes in Step 6.)

Tip: The front and back panels are on the sides that you have not cut.

Step 4: Apply Scor-Tape or adhesive to cut center panels on both sides.

Step 5: Adhere back flaps over adhesive. Line that flap with adhesive and adhere front flap over it.

Step 6: Here is the assembled base. You can see here the two holes I punched with my Cropadile (from Step 3.) At this point, I took my Cropadile again and punched two holes on either side of the box to insert a ribbon handle.

Step 7: I added a ribbon tie through the front holes and inserted the ribbon handle through the holes on either side of the box.

Step 8: Stamp a design and mat before adhering to front of box.

Step 9: Here is my finished box. I added a little tag on the top and candies inside.

Monday, February 15, 2010

I am so honored to have been asked by Kim (the MFT lady) to be her guest blogger today. I have two projects posted on her blog today. One features a BRAND SPANKIN' new set that will be released on Wednesday.Here's a peek of one project: You can find the projects HERE! Hope you like 'em!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Hello! Just wanted to drop in and wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day! We are spending the day OUTSIDE because the weather is just lovely. So far, my youngest is the only one who has had the "stomach bug" and we are just trying to think positively that no one else will get it!

On to other news: After much consideration, I decided to remove my blog from Stamping Top 50 about two weeks ago. I have spoken to so many who also feel the stress of the ranking and the indecision as to whether or not to remain on the site. In my experience, nothing really good came from it. It only caused me to worry if I had dropped a spot or create something just to have something to post every day. Most of the work I have gotten has been from my blog...not from seeing that I had a good rank on that site. So....I dropped it (insert smile!)

Hope you stop by tomorrow for some FUN NEWS! Also, I have two tutorials to share with you this week...one of them involves COLORING (wink!)

Saturday, February 13, 2010

We love you Michelle and hope you are recovering quickly at home and RESTING!

I chose to create a CAS card for the hop because we are currently enjoying a nasty stomach bug ....oh how fun! Because I am spending my hours disinfecting, mopping, washing....I have little time for cardmaking. But making this was a nice break in my day!

For my card, I used a sentiment from Thinking of You set (JustRite) and the beautiful flowers from Breath of Spring (one of JustRite's new releases!) I wanted to make those blue bonnets (? I have NO CLUE about flowers....just guessing on this!) the focal point so I designed a card that would allow them to be center stage.

The flowers were stamped on the card base and then stamped again on white cardstock. I colored them with copic markers and layered the flowers for dimension. After the card was assembled, I added some stickles and pearl accents to the flower centers.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Welcome to Day FOUR of the Gina K Previews! Just a reminder that all the stamps, embellishments and paper that you have seen on the posts will be available in the store THURSDAY night (Feb 11) at 10 p.m. central time, immediately following the release party on Splitcoaststampers!

Today is the final preview day and the design team is showing these two sets--Lovely Labels (by Nina Brackett) and Inside & Out (the One free with Three set!)

I shared a little peek of Inside & Out on my Day 2 post. Today, I am sharing a project that uses Lovely Labels. This set includes many many large beautiful labels that work with your dies or alone. They can be used to frame a sentiment or an image or as a card focal point. For my project, I used them to frame pictures and sentiments for a mini album of my little DIVA:

^ Each page features a different label that comes in the set...but there are even MORE!!! This is the cover....I created a little mini album featuring my littlest, Lauren the princess! I used some Gina K ribbon to make a coordinating tie on the clasp.

^ I created pages using a die and pure luxury black onyx cardstock. Then, I stamped labels on white and innocent pink cardstock and used them to design the book.

^ Giggle! I love Lauren's face in this picture. I used Little Teesset for some of the fun sentiments, like the "diva" on the front cover crown and the sentiment on this page.

^ Here are the final pages. I am hoping to go back and create a few journaling page inserts but just wanted to complete a few pages so you get the idea of the frames.

The Lovely Labels stamp set coordinates beautifully with Spellbinders Labels 1, 4, 8, and 9. Nina has also designed a new digital paper pack called Swing into Spring that compliments the new Spring Assortment paper pack. For even more information on these new products, please visit the Lovely Labels Illustrator's blogNina Brackett.

Then, check out these blogs for even more samples made with Nina's stamp set, Inside & Outand Spring Florals card kit:

JOIN US! We'd love for you to join us tomorrow night for the big Release party over in Gina's Forum on SCS! The virtual party starts at 7 p.m. CST and is filled with contest questions from Gina, challenges from three of our designers, and tons more samples from the entire GKD team!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Welcome to Day Three of the Gina K Previews. Tonight you get to see peeks of two more stamp sets- Dream Birds (by Asela Hopkins) and Spring Florals.

Since there is a card kit team showing designs with the Spring Florals set, I chose to focus my post on Dream Birds. I wanted to show how versatile this set is by showing two different designs and color combinations using it.

My first project is a little treat holder: I stamped the tic tac toe heart and X design on white cardstock and then pieced the hearts. I added it to the front panel of this treat holder (which measures 2 by 2 and is a cinch to make with your Scor-Pal.)I free hand cut a heart out of cardstock and then stamped the LOVE sentiment (LOVE this!) and then pieced the letters using the same cardstock.

I added some ribbon ties by punching small holes in the top of the front and back panels and then threading the ribbon through and tying them.

Next, here is a card I created with this set:I love this bird with the flowers. It seems so simple...but the adorable design lends itself well to so many designs. I thought it would be fun to show off some of the Gina K cardstock colors using this image...and of course I used the LOVE stamp again! (sigh!)

The cardstock colors I used are kraft, lovely lavender (new this month!), lemon drop (new this month!), creme de menthe and of course, white.

For a limited time, a free Card Kit will automatically be included with each purchase of the Spring Florals stamp set. The entire kit includes the stamp set, a binder sheet, the instructions and materials to make 3 complete cards for $19.95. For more details on the cards, please visit Jessica Fick's blog.

Then, check in with each of these Gina K designers to see all the beautiful projects they've made with the two stamp sets previewed tonight!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Wow...there is just so much goodness being released this month at Gina K Designs. Tonight, the design team is back with some more peeks of new sets--Oh Baby (by Rupa Shevde) and Pressed Flowers (by Melanie Muenchinger).

First up---Oh Baby! I created this simple baby card with this set: I used the three ducks stamps (which I adore!) and popped the image up so that I could add some hemp string underneath.

Next is a card I created with Pressed Flowers: This card took on an Asian feel because of the colors I chose...ivory, kraft, blue and black. I used Inspiration Mosaicto create the background and used a sentiment from Inside & Out, which will be previewed on Wednesday (I am bad!)

They all worked so well together, I couldn't resist. Pressed Flowers works well with every set....to accent other flowers or to use with A Year of Flowersand do two step stamping!

The Pressed Flowers stamp set was designed to be a perfect companion to Melanie's A Year of Flowers set! It is also a perfect stand alone set as each bold stamp image lends itself to many techniques as you will see on each designer's blogs tonight!

Start with the Illustrator's blogMelanie Muenchinger and then visit these designer's blogs for even more samples with this stamp set and Rupa Shevde's Oh Baby Stamp set as well!

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About Me

I have three wonderful kids and a really supportive husband!
In my spare time, I enjoy running, cardmaking, scrapbooking, creating altered items and doing anything crafty!
Thanks for checking out my blog! Come back soon!